Smithsonian Fan Forum (SFF)

Welcome to the Smithsonian Fan Forum! We are delighted that you are interested in being a part of Smithsonian's group of fans who will share their thoughts and opinions through surveys.

Our visitors and online friends are integral to helping the Smithsonian determine how to reach new audiences and how to tell our story in compelling ways.

The Smithsonian Fan Forum (SFF) is an online place where people all over the world can weigh in on our upcoming plans. We want your guidance, advice, opinions, and feedback on the small and big things that make the Smithsonian special. We value your frank opinion.

What we ask of you is a few minutes, when you can spare the time, to answer some questions on proposed initiatives, efforts, and events we might need feedback on. We only use the information you share with SFF for SFF; we will not use the information you share with SFF to contact you for non-SFF purposes. To learn more about how SFF handles the information you share read the FAQs below.

We will send out surveys a few times a month; complete the ones you want, ignore the others.

There is no commitment, just community.

Be sure to read the FAQs before signing up.

We can't wait to hear from you!

FAQS

What is the Smithsonian Fan Forum (SFF)?

This is a way that the Smithsonian can get feedback from the public on upcoming initiatives. Formal market research is costly, so we set up the SFF to get the public's opinions on upcoming initiatives before they go live.

How many surveys will there be? Do I have to take all of them?

Starting September 2013, we plan to send one to three surveys each month to our email list. No minimum survey response is required. You can take as many or as few surveys as you like. We will try to keep surveys short. They will take 10 minutes or so to complete.

What personal information will you ask, and how will it be used?

We will first ask you for an email address so we can send you the survey links. We will never ask for additional contact information, such as your name, address, or phone number. After that, and in the context of a specific survey, we may ask things like gender, location, age, and ethnicity. We will combine this information with all of the other feedback received from the group on the particular survey (i.e., the responses will be aggregated). We will not include your email address with your survey response. You cannot be identified by your feedback.

Will my personal information be shared? Will anyone see my individual survey answers?

The Smithsonian will not share your personal information or survey answers with third parties unless it determines that the disclosure is necessary in response to: (1) a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency if the Smithsonian becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation; (2) a court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the Smithsonian is a party or in order to comply with a subpoena; (3) a member of the public in response to his or her request for Smithsonian records under Smithsonian Directive 807, available at www.si.edu/ogc; (4) the Department of Justice or in certain legal proceedings when the Smithsonian, an employee of the Smithsonian, or the United States is a party to litigation or has an interest in the litigation and the use of such records is deemed relevant and necessary to the litigation; (5) a Committee of Congress in response to a formal request; and (7) any other person or entity as required by law.

How can I unsubscribe?

Every survey link will have an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom. If you wish to leave the SFF, please click that link on the next survey that comes to your email, and you will be removed from the list.

Do I have to be a certain age to participate?

Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to join SFF. If you are under 18 years old, check us out again when you turn 18.